📚 SECONHAND book finds // Sligo & Dublin, Ireland, bookshopping 🇮🇪
This is enough
Over the past few months I’ve been pondering about life a lot. Of where I want to go leading forward. For three months I cut down on work, only working 90% (meaning I had every second Monday off). It didn’t take long for me to realise it didn’t make a huge difference economically, and in general it made me feel better.
After my trip to India in October I have also realised that I don’t feel the urge to take the longer trips anymore. I feel quite content with what I’ve seen of the world so far. After all, most of the people of the world have seen by far less. I have visited around 30 countries, and there are still countries on my own continent I haven’t seen. Should I feel the urge of seeing a new country, I should maybe look closer to home?
I’m also trying to lean into a more slow way of living. I can’t say I’m there yet, but it’s also a journey. Fitting in meditation every day, working on being content with what I have and where I am. One of the challenges is how I miss living in Oslo. I love our house, and I am excited to get everything there sorted, but Oslo will always have a special place in my heart.
At the end of 2024, I signed up for an online teacher training course in meditation and mindfulness. It’s first and foremost for me to deepen my practice, but it’s also a part of the bigger picture. If I could teach meditation as well, I think I would be able to work less in my day job more permanently. Maybe cut it down to 80%? Time will show. I’m not jumping to decisions. Not right now.
As I’m writing this I’m on a flight from Norway to Ireland. I will post it once I’m in a place where that is possible.
For now, this is enough.
Vegan Norwegian waffles
Who says you need eggs and dairy to make perfect waffles? These vegan waffles are light, crispy on the outside, and wonderfully fluffy on the inside — thanks to the magic of aquafaba. Whether you’re serving them as a sweet afternoon snack or a cozy dessert, this simple recipe delivers delicious results. Pair them with vegan sour cream and jam for a classic touch, or get creative with your favorite toppings. Enjoy a plant-based take on a timeless favourite!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 dl aquafaba
- 1 dl sugar
- 5 dl soy milk
- 4 tbsp plant-based oil (e.g., canola or sunflower)
- 400 g sifted wheat flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cardamom
Instructions
Whisk the aquafaba and sugar until stiff. I recommend using an electric mixer; otherwise, it will take a very long time. With an electric mixer, it should take around five minutes. The colour should be white, and the consistency should be velvety smooth and not runny.
Mix the soy milk and oil together, then gradually add them to the aquafaba and sugar mix, while stirring gently. Next, mix all the dry ingredients. Use a sieve and sift in a little of the dry mixture at a time, stirring thoroughly. You can also use the electric mixer on the lowest setting. Make sure the batter doesn’t get lumpy. Once everything is combined, let the batter rest for about 30 minutes.
Bake the waffles in a greased waffle iron until golden. Serve fresh with topping of your choice.
This batter also works well for breakfast pancakes.
A Norwegian Reader’s Thoughts on Viral Viking-Inspired Fantasy 📖⚔️ A Fate Inked in Blood Book Review
Book Review: Motheater, written by Linda H. Codega
[AD // NETGALLEY ARC]
Motheater, written by Linda H. Codega was given to me by Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review. I don’t know what I expected when I was given this book, but I was very intrigued by the description. To be honest it being a queer fantasy book was enough to intrigue me, and I was not disappointed!
This story is set in the Appalachian Mountains in the US. We meet Bennie, whose friend passed away, and in her effort to uncover what killed her friend as well as other miners on Kire Mountain, she loses her reputation and her relationship. Then one day she finds a half-drowned white woman in a dirty mine slough, and rescues her because she feels it’s the right thing to do, but also because she feels it may help her in some way. The woman calls herself Motheater, and says she’s a witch, and Bennie feels drawn to this mysterious woman.
This was such a delightful read! I fell in love with the characters. It’s diverse, and deals with important themes like what we’re doing to the planet we live on. I’m so happy I got to this gem!
My 2024 Reading Journal 📖 | Monthly Layouts & How It Evolved!
Book Review: Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Café, by Jessica Redland
December was the month I found a new favourite romance author: Jessica Redland.
Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Café was the second book by Jessica Redland I picked up, and it was such a lovely read.
Publisher’s description:
Everyone is getting into the festive spirit on Castle Street – snow is falling, fairy lights are glistening and Christmas shopping is underway.
But for Tara Porter, owner of thriving cafe, The Chocolate Pot, this is the most difficult time of the year. From the outside, Tara is a successful businesswoman and pillar of the community. Behind closed doors, she is lonely.
With a lifetime of secrets weighing on her shoulders, she has retreated from all friends, family and romance, and shut her real self away from the world. Afterall, if you don’t let them in, they can’t hurt you. She’s learnt that the hard way.
But as the weight of her past becomes heavier and an unexpected new neighbour moves onto the street – threatening the future of her cafe – Tara begins to realise that maybe it’s time to finally let people back in and confront her history. It could just change her life forever…
Even though I didn’t have any traumatic events sourrounding Christmas, I could sort of relate to Tara. It hasn’t been my favourite time of year for a long time. And I think it can be a tough time for many, for different reasons. The fact the author brings in mental health as an important part of the story, really added to it. It’s not “just another romance book”.
The first Jessica Redland book I read was Christmas at the Cat Café, and it should not come as a surprise that there were a few cats in that one. Starry Skies Over the Chocolate Pot Café also had a four legged family member, namely the gigant house bunny Hercules. I must admit I really wanted to give this bunny a big cuddle! I love bunnies, and actually had one when I was in my teens. His name was Black Beauty, or Blackie for short. I think these fury family members really adds a little extra love in the books!
Since then, I have read a third book by the author, and two paperbacks are on their way to me in the mail. I also have my Kobo, so… Yeah. Will definitely continue reading more books by Jessica Redland for sure!
👻 Dark December Readathon 2024 📚
Welcome to Dark December Readathon 2024! December is the darkest month of the year, so I thought Dark December would be a fitting name for a readathon. In this readathon you can embrace the darkness and go the dark route, and read dark books, or you can lighten everything up, and go down the light route. Or you can balance it out and do both! It’s totally up to you!
Prompts
There are 16 prompts for the readathon.
I have made a bingo board with all the prompts, in case you’d like to make it into a fun game. There is absolutely no preassure to make a bingo, you can cross off however you feel like. This is not a competition! You can also use one book for several prompts.
If you want to download it for your reading journal or to use on Instagram etc, you can download it from here:
Here’s a list of all the prompts:
- Science fiction
- LGBTQIP+
- Nordic
- Cats
- The Night Sky
- Red Cover
- Tea
- Short Story
- Graphic Novel
- Norse Myths
- BIPOC
- Classic
- Deep Sea
- Japan
- Travel
- Holliday Season
Let’s read together!
I will be hosting reading sprints and chats for the readathon. They will all take place on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe and turn on the notifications to get a message for them!
Hash tags
Official hash tags for this readathon are #DarkDecember24 and #DarkDecemberReads.